Unit-mounting and circulationsealing frame



United States Patent 3,380,219 UNIT-MOUNTING AND CIRCULATION- SEALING FRAME Joseph Madl, Jr., 990 Volante Drive, Arcadia, Calif. 91006 Filed May 16, 1966, Ser. No. 550,535 Claims. (Cl. 52664) This invention relates to a unit-mounting and circulation-sealing frame that has general application but more particular usefulness in clean room installations to insure that only sterile and/or specially treated air may enter a room or other space from atmosphere or another area or space, such as a plenum above the room.

An object of the present invention is to provide a frame for mounting air-filtering and/or -treating units so that the only circulation of air from the space on one side of the frame to the space on the opposite side will pass only through said units.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame, as characterized, that is so constructed and its components so assembled as to preclude circulation of air therethrough, where-by filter uni-ts fitted into said frame will provide the only air-circulating means from one side of the frame to the other, and air-intercepting units fitted into the frame will cooperate with the frame to prevent such air-circulation. Air-intercepting units may comprise dummy panel units, lighting fixtures, and other units or means required to service a room with light, heat and/or power.

This invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The above objects are realized in a frame that is fabricated of spaced, parallel longitudinal channels, longitudinally spaced transverse channels extending between the longitudinal channels, flange members Wider than the channels and aflixed to the webs of said channels with the ends of the flange members on the transverse channels fitted against the opposite edges of the flange members of the longitudinal channel members, air-intercepting seals at the places where such fit of the flanges occurs and also applied to the portions of the flange members that extend beyond the sides of the channels, said seal-lined flange portions forming ledges against which units, as above mentioned, are fitted, and means to clamp said units in place against said seals to prevent air flow from one side of the frame to the other. The fabricated frame, as above, is retained in firm, yet demountable assembly, by means of screws carried by the ends of the transverse channels in threaded engagement with fixed nuts in the longitudinal channels. This means placing the seals between the flange members in compression.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description and which is based on the accompanying drawings. However, said drawings merely show, and the following description merely describes, preferred embodirnents of the present invention, which are given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a unit-mounting and circulationasea-ling frame embodying the construction according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the frame of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an inverted position of use.

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FIG. 4 is a similar cross-sectional view showing the frame vertically disposed for holding laterally applied units.

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged plan view of the frame where the longitudinal and transverse members thereof are joined.

FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view of said joint, as taken on the line 66 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view as taken on the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of one of the ends of a transverse frame member.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of one of the longitudinal frame members.

The present unit-mounting and circulation-sealing frame comprises, generally, a grid-like frame structure .10 framing at least one space 11 and, preferably, a plurality of such spaces receptive of units 12 totally spanning said spaces, means 13 to seal between each said unit and the frame structure, and means 14 for removably and fixedly securing said units to said frame structure.

The frame structure 10 comprises, generally, a plurality of spaced, parallel and longitudinal channels 15 each provided with a flange member 16 permanently attached to the base of each channel 15 or integrally formed therewith, a plurality of spaced, parallel and transverse channel members 17 each provided with a flange member 18 integral with or permanently attached to the base of each channel 17, air seals 19 interposed between the channels 15 and their flange members 16, on the one hand, and the channels 17 and their flange members 18, on the other, means 20 to laterally secure the ends of the channels 17 to middle portions of the channels 15, and means 21 to :hold the longitudinal and transverse channels in coplanar alignment and place the air seals 19' in compression between overlapping portions of the longitudinal and transverse components of the frame structure.

Each channel 15, preferably of steel or aluminum alloy, is formed to have parallel flanges or walls 22, a base web 23 connecting said walls along the edges at one end and inbent and down-turned ends 24 along the opposite edges of said walls. FIG. 7 best shows this sectional configuration of the channels 15. It will be understood that these channels 15, at their ends and, possibly, at spaced intermediate points, may be supported from beneath or hung from above in any desirable manner. The same may be disposed with the web 23 down, inverted with the Web up, as in FIG. 3, or rotated ninety degrees with the web in a lateral position, as in FIG. 4. At one or more intermediate places of each channel may be provided a nut 25, preferably of hexagonal stock, the same being fixed in place and having a screw seat 26 that extends trans versely and is open to clearance holes 27 in the channel walls 22.

The flange members 16 comprise lengths of flat stock substantially wider than the channel webs 23, the same when fixedly attached to the channels 15, forming flange portions 28 that are disposed laterally of the walls 22 of the channels.

The transverse channels 17 have the same cross-sectional configuration as the channels 15 with parallel flanges or walls 29, webs 30, and turned-in wall ends 31. The lengths of these transverse channels are such as to provide a spaced fit, as at 32, relative to the walls 22 of the longitudinal channels between which they fit.

The flange members 18 of the channels 17 comprise lengths of flat stock similar in width and thickness to the flange members 16. The ends 33 of said flange members 18 terminate from the wall edges 34, as best seen in FIG. 7, so that they pinch or bind against the portions 35 of the seals 19 that are disposed between said edges 33 and the side edges of the flange members 16. This engagement of the longitudinal and transverse channels and 17 also causes the ends 34 of the latter to pinch thickened portions 36 of the seals 19 therebetween. Intermediate portions 37 are sandwiched between the flange portions 28 of the flange members 16 and the webs 30 of the channel members 17. Thus, seals 19 effectively seal at the joints where the channel members 15 and 17 are joined, the means and 21, by creating pressure on the seals, insuring against air leakage at said joints from one side of the frame to the other. Compressible plastic material, as, for instance urethane foam rubber, may be used for such seals.

The means 20 is shown as a bolt 38 guided in a bracket 39 with its threaded end directed toward and extending beyond the wall edges 34, a spring 40 biasing said bolt in said direction. Retraction of the bolt clear of said wall edges 34, enables assembly of the channel members, as above indicated. Release of the bolt so the same may be projected, effects an aligned engagement between the bolt and the screw seat in nut 26. Said bolt may now be threaded into said seat until the end of channel member 17 is drawn tightly toward the channel member 15, thereby laterally compressing the seal portions 35 and 36, as explained.

The means 21, best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, comprises a nut 41 engaged with the down-turned portions of the ends 24 of the walls 22 of channel member 15, a clamp plate 42 disposed upon said channel wall ends 24 and extended to bear on the same ends of the walls 29 of the channel members 17, and a bolt 43 extending through a clearance hole in said clamp plate and threadedly engaged with the nut 41. The head of said bolt 43, thereby bears down on the plate 42 which, in turn, is drawn tightly against the tops of the channel members 15 and the extensions of said plate bear down on the tops of the channel members 17, causing compressing of the intermediate portions 37 of the seals 19 between the webs 30 and the flange portions 28.

The frame 10, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 1, is assembled as above, forming the rectangular spaces 11, which, according to the lengths of the channel members 17 and the longitudinal spacings of these members along the channel members 15, are sized to have a sliding fit for the units 12. In most instances, a plurality of the units fitted to the spaces 11 comprises filters 12 that are seated on the sealing means 13 which, in this case, is shown as liners applied to the upper, lower or side faces, as the case may be, of the flanges against which the seals 19 are pressed. Whether the units 12 are filters or other rectangular utility or dummy units, the same seat on the sealing means 13 to prevent air passage between the flanges 16 and 19 and the units 12.

The means 14 comprises clamp members 44 that, by means of elongated bolts 45, are drawn against the outer edges of the units 12 when engaged with nuts 46, similar to nuts 41 but offset from the corners or joints where the channel members 15 and 17 are connected. Where required, as in FIG. 2, springs 47 may support the nuts 46 so the bolts 45 may engage them. The lateral application of units 12, as indicated in FIG. 4, may be facilitated by providing the channel members, that are horizontal, with slide brackets 48.

While the herein-described frame 10 seals against air leakage or air movement from one side of the frame to the other, the same may be watertight and, by careful machining of the edges of the members 16 and 18 and portions contacting them, may be made to be light-tight even in instances where the seals 19 and the liner means 13 are omitted. The metal-to-rnetal contact of the latter form, while requiring accuracy of construction, has improved facility as a structure, by avoiding imposition of. stresses on the frame as may result from a rigid tic-in to the support walls, studs or girders. By providing expansion joint connection of the frame with its support,

the same has the ability to float as a unit so minimum transmission of earth tremors, sonic booms and other shocks results.

While the foregoing has illustrated and described what is now contemplated to be the best mode of carrying out the invention, the constructions are, of course, subject to modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is not desired to restrict the invention to the particular forms of construction illustrated and described, but to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A unit-mounting and circulation-sealing frame comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, transversely spaced channel members having sides and a connecting web and provided wiLh flange portions extending from the longitudinal sides of said members across the Web thereof,

(b) a plurality of transverse channel members spanning between the longitudinal channel members and provided with fiange portions extending from the sides of said members across the webs thereof and terminating in spaced relation to the ends of the latter channel members,

(c) air-sealing members interposed between the said ends of the transverse channel members and the sides of the longitudinal channel members and adjacent portions of the flanges of the latter members, and

((1) means to connect the ends of the transverse channel members to the longitudinal channel members and to place the air-sealing members in compression laterally therebetween.

2. A unit-mounting and circulation-sealing frame according to claim 1 in which the last-mentioned means comprises:

(a) a fixed nut in each longitudinal channel member and having a transverse threaded seat, and

(b) a resiliently retractable bolt carried by each end of the transverse channel members directed toward each longitudinal member,

(c) said bolts being aligned with and, when projected,

being engageable in said seats.

3. A unit-mounting and circulation-sealing frame comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, transversely spaced channel members having sides and a connecting web and provided with flange portions extending from the longitudinal sides of said members across the web thereof,

(b) a. plurality of transverse channel members spanning between the longitudinal channel members and provided with flange portions extending from the sides of said members across the webs thereof and terminating in spaced relation to the ends of the latter channel members,

(0) air-sealing members interposed between the said ends of the transverse channel members and the sides of the longitudinal channel members and adjacent portions of the flanges of the latter members,

(d) means to connect the ends of the transverse channel members to the longitudinal channel members and to place the air-sealin g members in compression laterally therebetween, and

(e) means to align and clamp the longitudinal and transverse channel members in coplanar relation.

4. A frame according to claim 3 in which the latter means includes a clamp plate carried by the longitudinal channels and having extensions overlapping on and being in bearing engagement with the adjacent end portions of the transverse channel members.

5. A frame according to claim 4 in which the airscaling members have portions that are interposed between the mentioned ends of the transverse channel members and the portions of the flanges cf the longitudinal channel members which they overlie, the channel member-aligning means placing said interposed portions of the air-sealing means in compression.

6. A frame according to claim 5 in which the flange portions of both the longitudinal and transverse channel members are provided with air-intercepting liners to engage units inserted into the spaces formed by said channel members, and means to clamp said units against said liners.

7. A frame according to claim 6 in which the latter clamping means is threadedly connected to the channel members and is engaged with the sides of the units op posite to the sides engaged with the liners.

8. A frame according to claim 3 in which the mentioned air-sealing members have the same length as the width dimension of the flange portions of the transverse channel members, the flange portions of the longitudinal channel members, beyond said air-sealing members, and the flange portions of the transverse channel members, being provided with air-sealing layers adapted to be engaged by units fitted into the spaces formed by said frame members.

9. A unit-mounting frame comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, transversely spaced channel members having sides and a connecting web and provided with flange portions extending from the longitudinal sides of said members across the web thereof,

(b) a plurality of transverse channel members spanning between the longitudinal channel members and provided with flange portions extending from the sides of said members across the Webs thereof and terminating in spaced relation to the ends of the latter channel members, and

(c) means to connect the ends of the transverse channel members to the longitudinal channel members and to effect tight lightealing engagement of said ends with the longitudinal edges of the longitudina channel members.

10. A unit-mounting frame according to claim 9 in which the last-mentioned means comprises:

(a) a fixed nut in each longitudinal channel member and having a transverse threaded seat, and

(b) a resiliently retractable bolt carried by each end of the transverse channel members directed toward each longitudinal member,

(c) said bolts being aligned With and, when projected,

being engageable in said seats.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,972,395 2/1961 Peremi 287-189.36 3,280,540 10/1966 Soltis 9840 XR 3,330,583 7/1967 Kennedy et al. 287189.36

KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A UNIT-MOUNTING AND CIRCULATION-SEALING FRAME COMPRISING: (A) A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED, TRANSVERSELY SPACED CHANNEL MEMBERS HAVING SIDES AND A CONNECTING WEB AND PROVIDED WITH FLANGE PORTIONS EXTENDING FROM THE LONGITUDINAL SIDES OF SAID MEMBERS ACROSS THE WEB THEREOF, (B) A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE CHANNEL MEMBERS SPANNING BETWEEN THE LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL MEMBERS AND PROVIDED WITH FLANGE PORTIONS EXTENDING FROM THE SIDES OF SAID MEMBERS ACROSS THE WEBS THEREOF AND TERMINATING IN SPACED RELATION TO THE ENDS OF THE LATTER CHANNEL MEMBERS, (C) AIR-SEALING MEMBERS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE SAID ENDS OF THE TRANSVERSE CHANNEL MEMBERS AND THE SIDES OF THE LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL MEMBERS AND ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE FLANGES OF THE LATTER MEMBERS, AND (D) MEANS TO CONNECT THE ENDS OF THE TRANSVERSE CHANNEL MEMBERS TO THE LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL MEMBERS AND TO PLACE THE AIR-SEALING MEMBERS IN COMPRESSION LATERALLY THEREBETWEEN. 